Default Mode Network, Meditation, and Age-Associated Brain Changes: What Can We Learn from the Impact of Mental Training on Well-Being as a Psychotherapeutic Approach?

Abstract

Aging is a physiological process accompanied by cognitive decline, principally in memory and executive functions. Alterations in the connectivity of the default mode network (DMN) have been found to participate in cognitive decline, as well as in several neurocognitive disorders. The DMN has antisynchronic activity with attentional networks (task-positive networks (TPN)), which are critical to executive function and memory. Findings pointing to the regulation of the DMN via activation of TPN suggest that it can be used as a strategy for neuroprotection. Meditation is a noninvasive and nonpharmacological technique proven to increase meta-awareness, a cognitive ability which involves the control of both networks. In this review, we discuss the possibility of facilitating healthy aging through the regulation of networks through meditation. We propose that by practicing specific types of meditation, cognitive decline could be slowed, promoting a healthy lifestyle, which may enhance the quality of life for the elderly.

Neural Mechanisms and Psychology of Psychedelic Ego Dissolution

“…This study suggested the ACC mediated the interaction between cognition and emotion that contributes to psychedelic afterglow effects and the enhanced mindfulness capacities measured in study participants. Mindfulness capacities cultivate a more present-centred default mode (Brewer et al, 2011), develop increased awareness of mental contents (Dahl, Lutz, & Davidson, 2015;Schooler et al, 2011), and reduce maladaptive DMN activity associated with various forms of psychopathology (Ramirez Barrantes et al, 2019;Sampedro et al, 2017;Soler et al, 2014).…”

Mental Hygiene: What It Is, Implications, and Future Directions

“…Most recommendations given to promote mental health for the individual include PA, good sleep hygiene, a balanced diet, and maintaining healthy social relationships (Government of Canada, 2016). These recommendations are not to be underestimated in their importance; however, there is little attention given to the myriad of evidence that suggests how, through the plasticity of the brain, individuals can train themselves to foster healthy cognitive patterns that contribute to mental well-being (Ramirez-Barrantes et al, 2019).…”

From Evaluation to Prediction: Behavioral Effects and Biological Markers of Cognitive Control Intervention

“…Through methods such as mindfulness meditation, individuals' overall attention state can be autonomously adjusted to promote their metacognition and cognitive flexibility, which improves cognitive control [8,80,81]. This ability is based on the voluntary control of attentional focus, and it involves maintaining attention on the immediate experience, away from distractions such as self-referential thinking and mind wandering [82]. At the neural level, the prefrontal cortex (PFC) is one of the brain regions that plays a central role in the topdown control of information processing [83].…”

“…In addition, meditation has been reported to reduce the connections between the default and salience networks and between the default and frontoparietal networks; to increase the connections between the posterior cingulate cortex, the medial prefrontal lobe, and the left hippocampus; and to maintain the continuous effect on controlling the default mode network (DMN). The balance of the activation and deactivation of the DMN appears to be important in maintaining healthy brain function, including executive function, memory, and attention, and meditation training has been shown to alter patterns of brain activity of DMN and TPN, which can be used as a strategy for neuroprotection [82].…”